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Western District Of Louisiana U.s. Attorney's Office And The Irs Presents More Than $119,000to 26th Judicial District Attorney From Proceeds Of Forfeiture Case

SHREVEPORT, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that the Western District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service presented more than $119,000 to 26th Judicial District Attorney Schuyler Marvin as part of the successful completion a U.S. Attorney’s Office forfeiture case.

The 26th Judicial District Attorney’s Office is receiving half of the $240,000 in U.S. Currency found during a traffic stop. The defendants charged in the case were prosecuted on criminal charges in state court, but the forfeiture of the U.S. Currency was pursued in federal court.

According to forfeiture case documents, Louisiana State Police troopers pulled over a vehicle Feb. 12, 2012, during a routine traffic stop. After obtaining permission to search the vehicle, they found more than $200,000 in the air intake compartment and in a suitcase in the trunk. Further investigation led to the discovery of about $40,000 hidden in the headliner of the vehicle.

After further investigation, it was discovered that Kelman Hernandez Cortorreal, who was driving the vehicle, and Cesar Maldonado and Ramon Reyes, who were passengers in the vehicle, were part of a scheme where they cashed fraudulent tax refund checks. They were traveling back to Pennsylvania after obtaining cash for refund checks in Houston, Texas.

“This case serves as an example of what can happen when law enforcement agencies work together successfully,” Finley said. “The defendants in this case were caught in the act of transporting money that was obtained through smuggling and filing fraudulent tax refunds. I want to thank all law enforcement agencies who were involved in this case.”

“IRS appreciates the outstanding working relationship that we enjoy with the local law enforcement agencies,” stated Special Agent in Charge Gabriel Grchan, IRS Criminal Investigation. “We will continue to work together to make crime a little less lucrative in our community.”

“I would like to commend the work of the State Police and all law enforcement agencies involved in this case,” Marvin stated. “Their efforts halted an illegal scheme that cost taxpayers thousands of dollars.”

The Internal Revenue Service, 26th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the Louisiana State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ramsay C. McCullough brought the forfeiture action on behalf of the United States.